EP1265493B1 - A method and apparatus for coating centers - Google Patents
A method and apparatus for coating centers Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1265493B1 EP1265493B1 EP01920300A EP01920300A EP1265493B1 EP 1265493 B1 EP1265493 B1 EP 1265493B1 EP 01920300 A EP01920300 A EP 01920300A EP 01920300 A EP01920300 A EP 01920300A EP 1265493 B1 EP1265493 B1 EP 1265493B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- centers
- temperature
- coating
- drying
- coated
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
- A23G—COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF
- A23G3/00—Sweetmeats; Confectionery; Marzipan; Coated or filled products
- A23G3/02—Apparatus specially adapted for manufacture or treatment of sweetmeats or confectionery; Accessories therefor
- A23G3/20—Apparatus for coating or filling sweetmeats or confectionery
- A23G3/26—Apparatus for coating by tumbling with a liquid or powder, spraying device-associated, drum, rotating pan
Definitions
- the invention relates to an improved method for producing coatings or shells on a mass of centers, and more particularly, a rapid and more efficient method of panning and film coating to produce coatings or shells on an intermixed mass of centers.
- Panning and film coating are related industrial processes used for the preparation of coated compositions. Panning is typically considered to relate to the preparation of sugar-based coatings, whereas film coating is considered to relate to the preparation of non-sugar based (e.g., polymeric) coatings. These coating processes, however, are conducted in the much the same manner. Both panning and film coating are repetitive processes consisting of drying fine layers of a coating solution on an intermixed mass of centers. On a microscopic level, panning is the drying and crystallization of the sucrose or other sugars that may be contained in the coating solution onto the surface of the center or onto the surface of the coated center.
- Film coating is the drying of cellulose polymers or other conventional film-forming materials contained in the coating solution onto the surface of the center or onto the surface of the coated center.
- the panning process comprises a repetition of three cycles: a coating solution application cycle, a distribution cycle, and a drying cycle; the film coating process comprises the simultaneous application and drying of the coating solution.
- a coating solution application cycle a coating solution application cycle
- a distribution cycle a distribution cycle
- a drying cycle the film coating process comprises the simultaneous application and drying of the coating solution.
- thin layers of the coating material build upon each other to form the resulting shell or coating.
- the centers referred to herein may be any of a variety of pelletized, tabletted, molded or granulated products. Coatings are applied to such centers to seal the center or to add an additional material to the center.
- coated center compositions include pharmaceuticals, such as medicinally coated pills, tablets and non-pareils; chemical products such as detergents; and foodstuffs such as sugar or chocolate coated candies and mints.
- pharmaceuticals such as medicinally coated pills, tablets and non-pareils; chemical products such as detergents; and foodstuffs such as sugar or chocolate coated candies and mints.
- such coated compositions prevent waste of valuable drugs or medicines contained in the center, and ensures accurate measurement and delivery of dosage.
- such coatings serve to protect the centers from degradation or decomposition by exposure to air (oxygen) and/or humidity.
- the most common technique used to coat centers is to provide a coating vessel in which a mass of centers are intermixed while dispensing a coating material onto the centers and drying the centers with a current or flow of a drying gas (dry air).
- the coating materials are powders such as sugar, sugar alcohols, waxes, and celluloses, or are liquids, most often an aqueous or solvent solution (a coating solution) of sugar, sugar alcohols, waxes, and celluloses.
- Coating solutions may be prepared by simply dissolving any suitable coating ingredient, or combination of ingredients (e.g., sucrose, dextrin, ethyl cellulose, and the like) in water.
- the coating solution may be dispensed or applied by spraying, pouring, or ladeling the solution onto a mass of centers.
- coating solutions are normally applied while the centers are being intermixed in a coating vessel.
- a current of drying gas is introduced into the vessel simultaneously with or subsequent to application of the costing material.
- the most commonly used gas is air, which is usually heated.
- the drying gas air
- the flow rate of the drying gas through the coating vessel is considered to be dependent upon the weight of the mass of the centers to be coated/dried and the type of coating vessel used.
- flow rates of about 51 m 3 /min (1,800 ft 3 /min) to about 113 m 3 /min (4,000 ft 3 /min) may be used, however, for a mass of centers weighing about 2,500 kg flow rates of about 227 m 3 /min (8,000 ft 3 /min) to about 283 m 3 /min (10,000 ft 3 /min) may be used.
- the temperature or temperature range to which the drying gas may be adjusted is a predetermined temperature/temperature range that is dependent upon the thermal stability of the center to be coated. For example, for centers that are insensitive to high temperatures, that is, for centers that will not readily melt or degrade at high temperatures (e.g., greater than about 50°C), the drying gas temperature is typically maintained at a temperature of about 50°C to about 85°C.
- the centers are thermally sensitive, that is, melt at a relatively low temperature (e.g., less than about 50°C) or are otherwise unstable at elevated temperatures or mildly elevated temperatures, the drying gas temperature is typically maintained at a temperature or within a range of temperatures that is below the melting or degradation temperature of the center.
- U.S. Patent No. 4,168,674 discloses a process whereby the bed temperature of the batch of tablets being coated in a rotating coating pan is sensed by a sensor. The coating process is monitored such that if during any one cycle there is a preselected difference between the sensed temperature and a reference temperature stored in memory devices, a signal will be produced.
- This process suffers from the disadvantage that the coated tablets may be damaged by repeated collisions with the sensor. Likewise, the sensor may be damaged by repeated collisions with the intermixing tablets in the rotating pan.
- Yoakam U.S. Patent No. 4,554,887 , discloses a coating apparatus with computer control in which a several operating parameters can be controlled via a computer. For example, the spray rate, air inlet temperature, air temperature in the coating pan, exhaust air temperature, coating pan speed , air flow, dew point, and composition of the spray material may be automatically controlled for producing coated tablets.
- Latini U. S. Patent No. 5,495,418 , discloses a coating system which controls fewer processing variables to control the drying/spray cycles, such as the beginning and ending dry times and the length of spraying/amount of coating solution dispensed onto the centers.
- None of the above methods or apparatus provide operators with the ability to monitor the actual progress of the coating process inside the coating apparatus and to rapidly adjust or modify the coating process based on such monitoring information. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a simple and efficient coating method, apparatus and system for monitoring of the progress of the coating process by monitoring characteristics of the coated tablets or centers inside of the coating apparatus and a method by which the coating process could be readily controlled. It would be particularly advantageous to provide such a coating method, apparatus and system with which such a coating process could be conducted in a rapid and cost effective manner.
- EP-A-0105394 describes a regulated process for fully automatic, continuous coating of tablets and the like.
- the process comprises measurement of surface temperature and/or surface moisture of the product and/or the temperature of the air outflow and/or the moisture content of the air outflow, and automatic regulation of the supply of coating material and/or air flow rate and/or air inlet temperature.
- DE-C-4441350 describes an infrared sensor for measurement of the moisture content of a product in a mixing granulator or vacuum drying apparatus.
- the present invention provides a method of producing a shell coating as defined in claim 1.
- the present invention further provides an improved coating apparatus as defined in claim 6.
- Coating processing using any of the above methods may be conducted for as long or as short as necessary to provide a finished product having a desired weight or weight gain or having a coating of a desired thickness.
- the drying process used in this invention is based on maintaining a predetermined or desired temperature at the surface of the coated centers of the mass in the coating vessel and continuing the drying process until a predetermined or desired moisture content on the surface of the coated centers of the mass in the coating vessel is obtained.
- the temperature and moisture of the surface of the coated centers of the mass may be measured or determined by any direct measurement method.
- the terms "direct measurement” or “direct determination” refer to a technique or apparatus useful for measuring or determining the value of a parameter (e.g., temperature or moisture/water content) of the surface of the centers or coated centers in the coating vessel by scanning, examination or analysis of the center surfaces.
- Direct measurement or determination is different from and does not include indirect measurements or determinations, such as the determination of the moisture/water content of a mass of coated centers by measurement and analysis of the moisture/water content of the drying gas flowing into or out of the coating vessel.
- the drying process of this invention is based on maintaining the temperature on the surface of the coated centers of the mass at a predetermined temperature or within a predetermined temperature range, wherein the temperature is monitored by direct measurement of the surface of the centers in the coating vessel and continuing the drying process until a predetermined moisture content on the surface of the coated centers is obtained, wherein the moisture content is monitored by direct measurement of the surface of the centers in the coating vessel.
- the temperature of the surface of the centers is maintained by controlling the temperature of the drying gas. Moreover, the temperature of the drying gas is controlled or adjusted only to the extent required to maintain that predetermined temperature or predetermined temperature range. According to the method of this invention, the temperature of the drying gas no longer needs to be controlled to be less than the melting point or degradation temperature of a thermally sensitive center throughout the drying process. The temperature is permitted to vary across any temperature range as long as the temperature at the surface of the coated centers of the mass remains at a predetermined temperature or within a predetermined temperature range.
- Drying of the coating solution on the surface of the centers in the mass involves evaporation of the water in the coating solution. As the water evaporates from the surface of the coated centers, the temperature of that surface cools. This process is called “adiabatic cooling.” When large amounts of water are being evaporated (e.g., just after the coating solution has been dispensed onto the mass of centers), the cooling effect can become significant. Accordingly, the temperature of the drying gas may be increased significantly to offset the cooling effects of evaporation to maintain a predetermined surface temperature on the coated centers.
- the method of this invention provides advantages for producing coatings on both thermally insensitive and thermally sensitive centers. This method, however is especially useful for coating of thermally sensitive centers.
- Conventional processing of such thermally sensitive centers required the temperature of the drying gas to be controlled to be less than the melting point or degradation temperature of a thermally sensitive center throughout the drying process.
- coating of low-melting centers e.g., those having a melting point of less than 50°C, required very long processing times. In this invention; it is the temperature of the surface of such low-melting centers that is maintained below the melting point of the centers.
- adiabatic cooling permits the use of a drying gas that has been heated to well above the melting point of the low-melting center; the temperature of the center remains below its melting point even while the temperature of the drying gas is significantly higher.
- panning of chocolate- or cocoa-containing centers may be conducted using a drying gas at a temperature of greater than 50°C while maintaining the surface temperature of the coated chocolate or coca-containing centers below the melting point thereof.
- the surface temperature is in the range of 20°C to 26°C, more preferably, the surface temperature is in the range of 21°C to 25 °C and most preferably, the surface temperature is 22°C to 24°C.
- the method of this invention is particularly useful for producing a coating on thermally sensitive centers having melting points or degradation temperatures of less than 50°C.
- This method is especially useful for producing a coating on thermally sensitive centers having melting points or degradation temperatures of less than 30°C, such as centers composed of chocolate, chocolate-containing compositions, cocoa-containing compositions and nut-flavored or nut-containing compositions, and the like, examples of which include milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, peanut butter-containing compositions, chocolate-containing compositions and chocolate with an inclusion, such as chocolate-coated nuts (peanuts, almonds, cashews, etc.) chocolate-coated rice, chocolate-coated peanut butter-containing compositions, and the like.
- the moisture content of the surface of the centers is monitored to determine when a drying cycle is completed.
- the drying cycle is completed when the moisture content of the surface of the coated center reaches a predetermined moisture content
- the predetermined moisture content will vary depending upon the material(s) in the coating solution to be coated on the centers. Generally, however, the predetermined moisture content of the surface of the coated centers will be 0% to 30% water, by weight. Preferably, the predetermined moisture content of the surface of the coated centers will be 0% to 20% water, by weight, more preferably, 0% to 10% water, by weight, and most preferably 0% to 5% water, by weight.
- the mass of coated centers may be sprayed with an additional amount of coating solution to start another drying cycle or the coated centers may be removed from the coating vessel.
- the method of this invention offers several important advantages over conventional coating processes. Because the method may be conducted using a drying gas at elevated temperatures, the drying rate can be increased significantly. In addition, because the surface moisture content coating can be readily determined, prolonged drying of the centers can be avoided, thereby reducing the time required to complete each drying cycle. As the overall coating process consists ofrepeated coating solution application and drying cycles, reducing the drying times can substantially reduce the overall processing time, thereby increasing the amount of coated product that can be produced within a given time.
- the method of this invention can also provide coated centers of higher quality than can be obtained using conventional processing. Because this method can reduce drying time and thus the amount of time that the coated centers are intermixed in the coating vessel, damage to the coating caused by collisions between coated centers or coated centers and the coating vessel are also reduced. Accordingly, significant processing cost reductions and product quality improvement may be realized by using the method of this invention.
- Figure 1 illustrates the general coating apparatus system of this invention, which includes a coating vessel, 203, a drying gas flow system comprising a gas inlet port 202 and an outlet port 201, a fan 204, a collector 200, a dryer 206, and a heater 205 and a coating operations control system comprising the temperature and moisture sensors, 207 and 208, respectively, and a computerized control unit 209 for controlling the operation.
- the apparatus system used in this invention contains a dryer 206 producing a dried gas and a heater 205 for adjusting the dried gas to produce the drying gas used for maintaining the temperature of the surface of the coated centers of the mass.
- a coating vessel must contain at least one of the temperature and moisture sensors described herein.
- One embodiment of the coating apparatus of this invention comprises: a coating vessel, which is exemplified in this embodiment as a rotatable drum 104 , a coating solution dispenser 100 , a temperature sensor 101 and a moisture sensor 102.
- the mass of centers 103 are placed into the vessel for coating processing.
- any conventional or commercially available coating apparatus containing a coating vessel, coating solution dispenser, gas drying elements, gas heating element, gas inlet and gas outlet ports may be used in this invention.
- the coating processing apparatus must contain the temperature and moisture sensors described herein. Examples of such coating apparatus include any conventionally used coating apparatus, such as a rotatable drum apparatus, a fluidized bed apparatus or a Wurster tube apparatus, or a vibratory fluidized bed apparatus.
- Examples of such conventional or commercially available coating processing apparatus or systems include those as available from O'Hara Coating Systems, Inc., Toronto, Canada, Coating Machinery Systems, Inc., Des Moines, Iowa, Driam (Driamat drum coater), Spartansburg, South Carolina, DTG (Belt Coater), England, Dumoulin (IDA system drum coater), France, Carle and Montanari (BE 100 vertical pan), Italy, Huttlin, France, Manesty Drum Coaters, England, Pellegrini, Italy, Steinberg Drum Coater (belt coaters), Germany or described in U.S. Patent No. 4,168,674 , U.S. Patent No. 5,495,418 , U.S. Patent No.
- These coating apparatus contain conventional coating vessels for containing the mass of centers/coated centers during coating processing, e.g., during the application of the coating solution and drying.
- rotatable drum apparatus contain a conventional drum (which is also called a pan), such as a tulip pan, a solid wall pan, or a perforated-wall pan for containing the centers during the coating operation.
- the temperature and/or moisture sensors may be mounted inside the drum such that the sensor(s) is positioned over the centers during the coating operation.
- the sensor(s) may be mounted on the coating solution dispenser (e.g., on a spray arm), out of the way of the dispensing path of the coating solution.
- Rotatable drum apparatus also contain a mechanism for rotating the drum to tumble (intermix) the centers during the coating operation. Any conventional or commercially available rotating mechanism may be used to rotate the drum, examples of which include belt-driven or gear driven motors.
- the centers are contained in a vessel having a perforated bottom wall. Intermixing is most commonly accomplished by passing a strong current of drying gas through the perforated wall such that the velocity of the drying gas is sufficient to suspend or fluidize the centers. Intermixing may also be accomplished by vibrating the vessel.
- the temperature and/or moisture sensors may be similarly mounted inside the apparatus such that the sensor(s) is positioned over the centers during the coating operation.
- the sensor(s) may be mounted on the coating solution dispenser, out of the way of the dispensing path of the coating solution.
- Any conventional or commercially available mechanisms suitable for use with fluidized bed apparatus may be used, examples of which include belt-driven or gear driven motors for vibrating the vessel and a fan (for creating sufficient air turbulence for suspending/intermixing the centers in the vessel).
- the centers are contained within a vertical tube assembly that comprises a center tube enclosed within an exterior tube. The centers are intermixed using a very strong current of drying gas directed through the bottom of the tube, whereby the centers/coated centers are propelled through the center vertical tube in the strong current of drying gas (air).
- the centers After reaching the top of the center tube, the centers fall through the exterior tube to the base of the tubes, and are again propelled up through the center tube in a current of air, thereby creating a circular flow of coated masses through the tubes.
- the temperature and/or moisture sensors may be mounted over the top of the center vertical tube, such that the sensor(s) is positioned over the centers as they pass out of the tube. Any conventional or commercially available mechanisms suitable for use with such an apparatus may be used, examples of which include a fan (for creating sufficient air turbulence for suspending and propelling the centers through the tube).
- the coating solution dispenser is used for dispensing or applying the coating solution onto the mass of centers.
- dispensers include "spraying arms", such as internal spraying arms and external spraying arms, which may contain one or more nozzles for dispensing the coating solution, or a ladle.
- the coating solution is applied through such dispensers using compressed air and/or a pump, such as a positive displacement pump, a metering pump, a centrifugal pump, a peristaltic pump, and the like to propel the coating solution through the dispenser.
- the gas inlet port is mounted on the coating vessel to direct the drying gas into or through the vessel and the gas outlet port is mounted on the vessel to allow the drying gas to exit or exhaust from the vessel.
- gas inlet and outlet ports are air ducts and insertion tubes.
- One or more fans or blowers may be used to power the current of the drying gas through the coating vessel and through the drying gas (air) handling system (through the collector(s), dryer and heater), as needed. Any suitable conventional fan or blower may be used.
- the drying gas when using a rotatable drum or any other coating vessel that does not require a current of drying gas to intermix the centers, the drying gas may be used at reduced flow rates.
- the drying gas used herein may be adjusted to temperatures well above the melting point or degradation point of the centers to be coated and still maintain the surface temperature of the centers at a predetermined temperature or within a predetermined temperature range that is below the melting point or degradation point of the centers.
- the present method, apparatus and system enables the operator to balance/manipulate the temperature of the drying gas and the flow rate of the drying gas to maintain a predetermined temperature on the surface of the coated centers.
- the temperature of the drying gas may be adjusted to maintain the temperature of the surface of the coated centers at a predetermined temperature wherein the drying gas flow rate remains constant.
- both the temperature and the flow rate of the drying gas may be adjusted to maintain the temperature of the surface of the coated centers at a predetermined temperature.
- the temperature sensor in this invention is used to measure the temperature of the surface of the coated centers of the mass.
- the moisture sensor is used to measure the moisture content of the surface of the coated center of the mass.
- the temperature and moisture sensors used in this invention are non-contact sensors. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that any non-contact temperature and moisture sensor will be suitable for use in the method and apparatus of this invention. Preferably, such non-contact sensors are infra-red sensors and near infra-red sensors. Because the sensors are not in contact with the rotating mass of coated centers, damage to the sensors caused by repeated collisions with the coated centers is essentially eliminated. Moreover, damage to the coated centers by repeated collisions with the sensor(s) do not occur.
- the moisture sensor used herein is a near infra-red moisture sensor and the temperature sensor is an infra-red temperature sensor.
- moisture sensors are available form Sensor Controls, Inc., Milpites, California.
- Example of such temperature sensors are available from Raytek, Corp., Santa Cruz, California and Watlow, St. Louis, Missouri.
- the drying gas used in this invention may be dried using any conventional de-humidifying processing apparatus.
- Manufacturers of such de-humidifying /drying apparatus include Kathabar Inc. (manufacturer of apparatus suitable for use with lithium chloride solution desiccants), New Brunswick, New Jersey, Carrier Corp. (manufacturer of air conditioning apparatus to de-humidify air by cooling), Syracuse, New York, Cargocaire Engineering Corp. (manufacturer of apparatus suitable for use with solid desiccants), Amesbury, Massachusetts.
- the drying gas used in coating processing has a dew point of about 5°C.
- the drying gas used in the method of this invention may be advantageously much drier.
- the moisture content of the drying gas used in the method of this invention may be maintained to have a dew point of about 0°C (3.7 g water/kg dry air) to about -15°C (1.0g water/kg dry air).
- the method and apparatus of this invention may preferably employ a desiccant for drying the drying gas.
- desiccants useful in this invention include, but are not limited to a solid desiccant or a lithium chloride solution, wherein the lithium chloride solution is used as a desiccant.
- solid and solution desiccants, and the methods and apparatus suitable for use with such desiccants are known and are commercially available.
- the drying gas may be dried by passing the gas through an apparatus containing a solid desiccant, such as silica.
- the gas may be dried by passing the gas through a lithium chloride solution spray which contains about 30-45 wt. % lithium chloride.
- the drying process may be conducted using a lithium chloride solution maintained at any suitable temperature for a selected lithium chloride concentration, as is known in the art (e.g., an aqueous 30 wt. % LiCl solution may be used at temperature of from about -17°C to about 103°C, whereas an aqueous 45 wt. % LiCl may be used at temperature of from about 18°C to about 104°C).
- drying of the gas is conducted using a lithium chloride solution maintained at a temperature of about 5 °C to about 50°C.
- the temperature of the drying gas is adjusted to a temperature suitable for maintaining the surface of the coated centers in the mass at a predetermined temperature or within a predetermined temperature range.
- the drying gas may be heated or cooled, as required, to provide a drying gas having a temperature suitable for maintaining the surface of the coated centers in the mass at a predetermined temperature or within a predetermined temperature range.
- the heating element used for adjusting (increasing) the temperature of the drying gas must be responsive to changes in the surface temperature of the coated centers in the mass, as measured by the temperature sensor.
- the increased rate of drying provided by the method of this invention may result in relatively rapid changes in the surface temperature of the coated centers of the mass.
- the heating element used in the apparatus, system and method of this intention must be capable of responding to such changes by heating (heating to a higher temperature) or cooling (heating to a lower temperature or not heating) the drying gas with comparable speed.
- Any conventional heating element that can rapidly change the amount of heat applied to a gas source may be used. Examples of such heating element include electrical heating elements, low mass steam injection heaters, direct fire gas heaters, and the like.
- the heating element is an electrical heating element.
- the temperature of the drying gas may be adjusted (reduced) by introducing a current of cool air into the current of drying gas.
- Conventional coating apparatus systems are designed to pass the current of drying gas through the coating vessel only once or to re-cycle the drying gas through the coating vessel.
- the drying gas is in a loop where it is repeatedly subjected to drying, heating, and passage through the coating vessel. Additional filters, collectors, or scrubbers may be placed in the loop to remove any materials in the gas that may be carried by the drying gas exhausted from of the coating vessel during drying step or that may be introduced into the drying gas during the drying or heating operations.
- the drying gas exhausted from the coating vessel contains fine particulates of the coating solution ingredient(s). These fine particulates may be explosive or combustible and need to be removed from the drying gas stream, especially prior to heating.
- drying gas that has passed through a coating vessel wherein a sugar solution was sprayed onto a mass of centers may contain very fine sugar particulates which may be removed by passing the gas through a particle filter or dust collector.
- the process of drying the gas may also introduce fine materials into the dried gas.
- gas that is dried using the lithium chloride solution is preferably passed through another collector, specifically, a mist-elimination apparatus, prior to heating, to remove any fine mist droplets that may be present in the dried gas.
- gas that is dried using a solid desiccant may be passed through another dust collector to remove any particulates of the solid that may be present in the dried gas.
- lithium chloride solution drying apparatus typically contain such mist-elimination apparatus as part of the drying apparatus. It is considered to be within the skill of one in the art to incorporate as many filters, collectors or scrubbers in the drying gas flow system of the coating apparatus system of this invention to purify the gas at a selected stage of the flow system to provide a gas of suitable quality.
- the coating apparatus system of this invention contains a computerized control unit that monitors the temperature and moisture content of the surface of the centers in the coating vessel and links the output thereof to the operation of other components of the system. Any and all operational variables (e.g., activation of the coating solution dispenser, the amount of coating solution to be dispensed into the coating vessel as well as the type of coating solution to be dispensed into the coating vessel (more than one coating solution may be used to prepare a finished coated product)) may be controlled by a computerized control unit in a conventional manner.
- the computerized control unit preferably controls at least the temperature to which the drying gas is adjusted ( heated/cooled), the dispensing of the coating solution onto the mass of centers in the coating vessel, the flow of the drying gas through the coating vessel, and monitors the temperature and moisture content of the surface of the centers in the coating vessel.
- the computerized control unit controls the drying process by linking an increase or decrease in the surface temperature of the coated centers to a decrease or an increase in the temperature of the drying gas adjusted (heated or cooled).
- the drying gas used in this invention may be substantially higher than the melting point or degradation temperature of the centers, particularly when large amounts of water are being evaporated (e.g., when the adiabatic cooling effect is most significant).
- the adiabatic cooling effect diminishes and the surface temperature of the coated centers exposed to the current of hot drying gas can begin to increase.
- the temperature of the drying gas must then be adjusted to prevent the temperature of the surface of the coated centers from rising above the predetermined temperature or predetermined temperature range.
- the computerized control in this.invention provides for frequent monitoring of the surface temperature (frequent monitoring of the temperature sensor output) and correlation of that output with adjustment of the temperature of the drying gas.
- the temperature of the drying gas is adjusted (by heating to a lower temperature or by introducing cool air into the current of drying gas) to reduce the surface temperature to the predetermined temperature or to within the predetermined temperature range.
- the computerized control unit also controls the coating solution dispensing process and the termination of the coating process by linking the output of the moisture sensor (the moisture content of the surface of the coated centers) optionally to the dispensing of the coating solution onto the mass of centers in the coating vessel and/or to the flow of the drying gas through the coating vessel.
- the moisture content of the surface of the coated centers reaches a predetermined dryness between 0% and 30% water, by weight, the drying cycle is determined to have reached completion. At that time the mass of coated centers may be sprayed with an additional amount of coating solution to start another drying cycle.
- the control unit may activate a pump to disperse an amount of coating solution through the coating solution dispenser onto the coated mass of centers.
- control unit may also shut off the drying gas fan or blower or re-route the drying gas to bypass the coating vessel when the coated centers have reached a predetermined dryness (surface moisture content), when dispensing the coating solution or when distributing the coating solution to coat the centers.
- PID internal control loop programs
- the control unit may also shut off the drying gas fan or blower or re-route the drying gas to bypass the coating vessel when the coated centers have reached a predetermined dryness (surface moisture content), when dispensing the coating solution or when distributing the coating solution to coat the centers.
- polishing or finishing coatings may be applied to the coated centers produced by the method described herein.
- finishing/polishing coatings may include colored coatings, enteric coatings, finishing glazes, wax coatings and the like.
- Enteric coatings finishing coatings that are resistant to digestion in the stomach
- Any conventional finishing/polishing coating may be used to provide a finished coated product having the desired appearance, shelf-stability or physiological stability.
- coating solutions containing polishing gums e.g., gum arabic, dextrin and the like
- paste waxes e.g., carnuba wax, beeswax, zein and the like
- shellac e.g.
- finishing/polishing coatings are composed of only 1 to 5 layers of coating materials.
- coatings may advantageously be applied using the method of this invention described hereinabove wherein a polishing or finishing coating solution is applied to the coated centers and the finished coated product is produced by drying the finish-coated, coated centers according to the method described hereinabove until the surface moisture of the finished coated centers of the mass is about 0% to about 30% water, by weight.
- one embodiment of this invention relates to an improved method for producing a shell coating on a mass of thermally sensitive centers comprising dispensing a coating solution onto the mass of centers and drying the coated centers with a current of drying gas; the improvement comprising measuring the temperature of the surface of the coated centers of the mass and drying the coated centers by adjusting the temperature of the drying gas in response to the temperature measurement of the surface of the coated centers to maintain the temperature of the surface of the coated centers at a temperature that is less than the melting point or degradation temperature of the thermally sensitive center.
- Another embodiment of this invention relates to an improved method for producing a shell coating on a mass of thermally sensitive centers comprising dispensing a coating solution onto the mass of centers and drying the coated centers with a current of drying gas; the improvement comprising measuring the moisture content of the surface of the coated centers of the mass and drying the coated centers until the moisture content of the surface of the coated centers is about 0% to about 30% water, by weight.
- the thermally sensitive centers comprise chocolate, chocolate-containing compositions, cocoa-containing compositions and nut-flavored or nut-containing compositions.
- this invention relates to the method for producing confectioneries comprising a candy shell coating or, optionally, a colored candy shell coating. Any food grade pigment may be incorporated into the coating solution and used in the method of this invention.
- this invention relates to a method for producing a candy shell coating on a mass of chocolate, chocolate-containing or peanut butter-containing centers.
- This method further comprises measuring the moisture content of the surface of the coated centers of the mass using a moisture sensor and drying the coated centers until the surface moisture of the coated centers is 0% to 30% water, by weight.
- the coating vessel used in the method for producing a shell coating on a mass of chocolate, chocolate-containing or peanut butter-containing centers is preferably a rotatable drum coating apparatus, a fluidized bed apparatus or a vibrated bed apparatus. More preferably, the coating vessel is a rotatable drum apparatus and the mass of centers is intermixed (tumbled) by rotating the drum. In the method of this invention, the rate of air flow (current of drying gas) through the drum may be significantly reduced, as compared to flow rates conventionally used with rotatable drum apparatus.
- flow rates of 51 m 3 /min (1,800 ft 3 /min) to 113 m 3 /min (4,000 ft 3 /min) may be used for coating a mass of centers weighing 2,500 kilograms (kg).
- the drying gas is air
- the air flow rate is 71 m 3 /min (2,500 ft 3 /min) to 99m 3 /min (3,500 ft 3 /min) for drying a mass of centers weighing about 2,500 kg and the air may be adjusted to temperatures between 20°C to 60°C.
- the temperature of the surface of the coated chocolate and peanut butter centers is maintained in the range of 20°C to 26°C, more preferably, the surface temperature is in the range of 21°C to 25 °C and most preferably, the surface temperature is 22°C to 24°C.
- the temperature of the air may be about 50 °C for about 1 minute after the sugar syrup is sprayed onto the centers and the temperature of the air is about 26 ° C when the moisture content of the coated centers is 0% to 30% water, by weight.
- polishing or finishing coatings may be applied to the sugar-coated chocolate, chocolate-containing or peanut butter-containing products, which may or may not be colored. Unlike sugar coatings, which may be composed of many separate sugar layers, such polishing or finishing coatings are composed of only 1 to 5 layers. Confectioneries typically contain polishing or finishing coatings that contain a polishing gum, an edible wax, or butter. These additional coatings may be applied to the sugar-coated chocolate, sugar-coated chocolate-containing or sugar-coated peanut butter-containing centers, produced as described above, by the method as defined in claim 5.
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Food Science & Technology (AREA)
- Polymers & Plastics (AREA)
- Application Of Or Painting With Fluid Materials (AREA)
- Drying Of Solid Materials (AREA)
- Investigating Or Analyzing Materials Using Thermal Means (AREA)
- Confectionery (AREA)
- General Preparation And Processing Of Foods (AREA)
- Seeds, Soups, And Other Foods (AREA)
- Medicinal Preparation (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The invention relates to an improved method for producing coatings or shells on a mass of centers, and more particularly, a rapid and more efficient method of panning and film coating to produce coatings or shells on an intermixed mass of centers.
- Panning and film coating are related industrial processes used for the preparation of coated compositions. Panning is typically considered to relate to the preparation of sugar-based coatings, whereas film coating is considered to relate to the preparation of non-sugar based (e.g., polymeric) coatings. These coating processes, however, are conducted in the much the same manner. Both panning and film coating are repetitive processes consisting of drying fine layers of a coating solution on an intermixed mass of centers. On a microscopic level, panning is the drying and crystallization of the sucrose or other sugars that may be contained in the coating solution onto the surface of the center or onto the surface of the coated center. Film coating is the drying of cellulose polymers or other conventional film-forming materials contained in the coating solution onto the surface of the center or onto the surface of the coated center. In operation, the panning process comprises a repetition of three cycles: a coating solution application cycle, a distribution cycle, and a drying cycle; the film coating process comprises the simultaneous application and drying of the coating solution. In each process, thin layers of the coating material build upon each other to form the resulting shell or coating.
- The centers referred to herein may be any of a variety of pelletized, tabletted, molded or granulated products. Coatings are applied to such centers to seal the center or to add an additional material to the center. Examples of such coated center compositions include pharmaceuticals, such as medicinally coated pills, tablets and non-pareils; chemical products such as detergents; and foodstuffs such as sugar or chocolate coated candies and mints. For pharmaceutical compositions, such coated compositions prevent waste of valuable drugs or medicines contained in the center, and ensures accurate measurement and delivery of dosage. In addition, such coatings serve to protect the centers from degradation or decomposition by exposure to air (oxygen) and/or humidity.
- The most common technique used to coat centers is to provide a coating vessel in which a mass of centers are intermixed while dispensing a coating material onto the centers and drying the centers with a current or flow of a drying gas (dry air). Typically, the coating materials are powders such as sugar, sugar alcohols, waxes, and celluloses, or are liquids, most often an aqueous or solvent solution (a coating solution) of sugar, sugar alcohols, waxes, and celluloses. Coating solutions may be prepared by simply dissolving any suitable coating ingredient, or combination of ingredients (e.g., sucrose, dextrin, ethyl cellulose, and the like) in water. The coating solution may be dispensed or applied by spraying, pouring, or ladeling the solution onto a mass of centers. To ensure uniformity, and to prevent the coated centers from adhering to each other during the drying process, coating solutions are normally applied while the centers are being intermixed in a coating vessel. Typically, a current of drying gas is introduced into the vessel simultaneously with or subsequent to application of the costing material. The most commonly used gas is air, which is usually heated.
- Efforts have been made to identify the preferred drying gas temperature, flow rate, moisture content, vigorousness of center intermixing and dispersion of the coating liquid to improve the efficiency of coating processes and the consistency and quality of the coated products produced thereby. Conventional processing parameters for each of these process variables have been identified. For example, to obtain an appropriate rate of drying required for formation of a high quality coating, the drying gas (air) has a dew point of about 5°C (5.4 g water/kg dry air). The flow rate of the drying gas through the coating vessel is considered to be dependent upon the weight of the mass of the centers to be coated/dried and the type of coating vessel used. For example, for coating a mass of centers weighing about 400 kilograms (kg) using a rotatable drum, flow rates of about 51 m3/min (1,800 ft3/min) to about 113 m3/min (4,000 ft3/min) may be used, however, for a mass of centers weighing about 2,500 kg flow rates of about 227 m3/min (8,000 ft3/min) to about 283 m3/min (10,000 ft3/min) may be used. In contrast, coating a mass of centers weighing about 30 kilograms (kg) using a fluidized bed, flow rates of about 9.9 m3/min (350 ft3/min) to about 28 m3/min (1,000 ft3/min) may be used. The temperature or temperature range to which the drying gas may be adjusted is a predetermined temperature/temperature range that is dependent upon the thermal stability of the center to be coated. For example, for centers that are insensitive to high temperatures, that is, for centers that will not readily melt or degrade at high temperatures (e.g., greater than about 50°C), the drying gas temperature is typically maintained at a temperature of about 50°C to about 85°C. In contrast, if the centers are thermally sensitive, that is, melt at a relatively low temperature (e.g., less than about 50°C) or are otherwise unstable at elevated temperatures or mildly elevated temperatures, the drying gas temperature is typically maintained at a temperature or within a range of temperatures that is below the melting or degradation temperature of the center.
- There have been continuing attempts to refine coating processing operations. For example, Futter,
U.S. Patent No. 4,168,674 discloses a process whereby the bed temperature of the batch of tablets being coated in a rotating coating pan is sensed by a sensor. The coating process is monitored such that if during any one cycle there is a preselected difference between the sensed temperature and a reference temperature stored in memory devices, a signal will be produced. This process suffers from the disadvantage that the coated tablets may be damaged by repeated collisions with the sensor. Likewise, the sensor may be damaged by repeated collisions with the intermixing tablets in the rotating pan. - Yoakam,
U.S. Patent No. 4,554,887 , discloses a coating apparatus with computer control in which a several operating parameters can be controlled via a computer. For example, the spray rate, air inlet temperature, air temperature in the coating pan, exhaust air temperature, coating pan speed , air flow, dew point, and composition of the spray material may be automatically controlled for producing coated tablets. Latini, U. S. Patent No.5,495,418 , discloses a coating system which controls fewer processing variables to control the drying/spray cycles, such as the beginning and ending dry times and the length of spraying/amount of coating solution dispensed onto the centers. - None of the above methods or apparatus provide operators with the ability to monitor the actual progress of the coating process inside the coating apparatus and to rapidly adjust or modify the coating process based on such monitoring information. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a simple and efficient coating method, apparatus and system for monitoring of the progress of the coating process by monitoring characteristics of the coated tablets or centers inside of the coating apparatus and a method by which the coating process could be readily controlled. It would be particularly advantageous to provide such a coating method, apparatus and system with which such a coating process could be conducted in a rapid and cost effective manner.
-
EP-A-0105394 describes a regulated process for fully automatic, continuous coating of tablets and the like. The process comprises measurement of surface temperature and/or surface moisture of the product and/or the temperature of the air outflow and/or the moisture content of the air outflow, and automatic regulation of the supply of coating material and/or air flow rate and/or air inlet temperature. -
DE-C-4441350 describes an infrared sensor for measurement of the moisture content of a product in a mixing granulator or vacuum drying apparatus. - The present invention provides a method of producing a shell coating as defined in claim 1.
- The present invention further provides an improved coating apparatus as defined in claim 6.
-
- Fig. 1 is a block function diagram of the coating apparatus system of the invention.
- Fig. 2 is a plan view of a coating apparatus of the invention.
- Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the coating apparatus of Fig. 2 taken along View A.
- Coating processing using any of the above methods may be conducted for as long or as short as necessary to provide a finished product having a desired weight or weight gain or having a coating of a desired thickness.
- The drying process used in this invention is based on maintaining a predetermined or desired temperature at the surface of the coated centers of the mass in the coating vessel and continuing the drying process until a predetermined or desired moisture content on the surface of the coated centers of the mass in the coating vessel is obtained. In this invention, the temperature and moisture of the surface of the coated centers of the mass may be measured or determined by any direct measurement method. As used herein, the terms "direct measurement" or "direct determination" refer to a technique or apparatus useful for measuring or determining the value of a parameter (e.g., temperature or moisture/water content) of the surface of the centers or coated centers in the coating vessel by scanning, examination or analysis of the center surfaces. Direct measurement or determination is different from and does not include indirect measurements or determinations, such as the determination of the moisture/water content of a mass of coated centers by measurement and analysis of the moisture/water content of the drying gas flowing into or out of the coating vessel. Accordingly, the drying process of this invention is based on maintaining the temperature on the surface of the coated centers of the mass at a predetermined temperature or within a predetermined temperature range, wherein the temperature is monitored by direct measurement of the surface of the centers in the coating vessel and continuing the drying process until a predetermined moisture content on the surface of the coated centers is obtained, wherein the moisture content is monitored by direct measurement of the surface of the centers in the coating vessel.
- In this invention, the temperature of the surface of the centers is maintained by controlling the temperature of the drying gas. Moreover, the temperature of the drying gas is controlled or adjusted only to the extent required to maintain that predetermined temperature or predetermined temperature range. According to the method of this invention, the temperature of the drying gas no longer needs to be controlled to be less than the melting point or degradation temperature of a thermally sensitive center throughout the drying process. The temperature is permitted to vary across any temperature range as long as the temperature at the surface of the coated centers of the mass remains at a predetermined temperature or within a predetermined temperature range.
- Drying of the coating solution on the surface of the centers in the mass involves evaporation of the water in the coating solution. As the water evaporates from the surface of the coated centers, the temperature of that surface cools. This process is called "adiabatic cooling." When large amounts of water are being evaporated (e.g., just after the coating solution has been dispensed onto the mass of centers), the cooling effect can become significant. Accordingly, the temperature of the drying gas may be increased significantly to offset the cooling effects of evaporation to maintain a predetermined surface temperature on the coated centers.
- The method of this invention provides advantages for producing coatings on both thermally insensitive and thermally sensitive centers. This method, however is especially useful for coating of thermally sensitive centers. Conventional processing of such thermally sensitive centers required the temperature of the drying gas to be controlled to be less than the melting point or degradation temperature of a thermally sensitive center throughout the drying process. Thus, coating of low-melting centers, e.g., those having a melting point of less than 50°C, required very long processing times. In this invention; it is the temperature of the surface of such low-melting centers that is maintained below the melting point of the centers. Taking advantage of the effect of adiabatic cooling permits the use of a drying gas that has been heated to well above the melting point of the low-melting center; the temperature of the center remains below its melting point even while the temperature of the drying gas is significantly higher. For example, panning of chocolate- or cocoa-containing centers may be conducted using a drying gas at a temperature of greater than 50°C while maintaining the surface temperature of the coated chocolate or coca-containing centers below the melting point thereof. Preferably, the surface temperature is in the range of 20°C to 26°C, more preferably, the surface temperature is in the range of 21°C to 25 °C and most preferably, the surface temperature is 22°C to 24°C. Accordingly, the method of this invention is particularly useful for producing a coating on thermally sensitive centers having melting points or degradation temperatures of less than 50°C. This method is especially useful for producing a coating on thermally sensitive centers having melting points or degradation temperatures of less than 30°C, such as centers composed of chocolate, chocolate-containing compositions, cocoa-containing compositions and nut-flavored or nut-containing compositions, and the like, examples of which include milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, peanut butter-containing compositions, chocolate-containing compositions and chocolate with an inclusion, such as chocolate-coated nuts (peanuts, almonds, cashews, etc.) chocolate-coated rice, chocolate-coated peanut butter-containing compositions, and the like.
- In this invention, the moisture content of the surface of the centers is monitored to determine when a drying cycle is completed. The drying cycle is completed when the moisture content of the surface of the coated center reaches a predetermined moisture content The predetermined moisture content will vary depending upon the material(s) in the coating solution to be coated on the centers. Generally, however, the predetermined moisture content of the surface of the coated centers will be 0% to 30% water, by weight. Preferably, the predetermined moisture content of the surface of the coated centers will be 0% to 20% water, by weight, more preferably, 0% to 10% water, by weight, and most preferably 0% to 5% water, by weight. When the drying cycle is determined to have reached completion, the mass of coated centers may be sprayed with an additional amount of coating solution to start another drying cycle or the coated centers may be removed from the coating vessel.
- The method of this invention offers several important advantages over conventional coating processes. Because the method may be conducted using a drying gas at elevated temperatures, the drying rate can be increased significantly. In addition, because the surface moisture content coating can be readily determined, prolonged drying of the centers can be avoided, thereby reducing the time required to complete each drying cycle. As the overall coating process consists ofrepeated coating solution application and drying cycles, reducing the drying times can substantially reduce the overall processing time, thereby increasing the amount of coated product that can be produced within a given time. The method of this invention can also provide coated centers of higher quality than can be obtained using conventional processing. Because this method can reduce drying time and thus the amount of time that the coated centers are intermixed in the coating vessel, damage to the coating caused by collisions between coated centers or coated centers and the coating vessel are also reduced. Accordingly, significant processing cost reductions and product quality improvement may be realized by using the method of this invention.
- Figure 1 illustrates the general coating apparatus system of this invention, which includes a coating vessel, 203, a drying gas flow system comprising a
gas inlet port 202 and anoutlet port 201, afan 204, acollector 200, adryer 206, and aheater 205 and a coating operations control system comprising the temperature and moisture sensors, 207 and 208, respectively, and acomputerized control unit 209 for controlling the operation. The apparatus system used in this invention contains adryer 206 producing a dried gas and aheater 205 for adjusting the dried gas to produce the drying gas used for maintaining the temperature of the surface of the coated centers of the mass. To be suitable for practicing the above method, a coating vessel must contain at least one of the temperature and moisture sensors described herein. One embodiment of the coating apparatus of this invention, illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, comprises: a coating vessel, which is exemplified in this embodiment as arotatable drum 104, acoating solution dispenser 100, atemperature sensor 101 and amoisture sensor 102. The mass ofcenters 103 are placed into the vessel for coating processing. - Any conventional or commercially available coating apparatus containing a coating vessel, coating solution dispenser, gas drying elements, gas heating element, gas inlet and gas outlet ports may be used in this invention. Of course, to be suitable for practicing the above method, the coating processing apparatus must contain the temperature and moisture sensors described herein. Examples of such coating apparatus include any conventionally used coating apparatus, such as a rotatable drum apparatus, a fluidized bed apparatus or a Wurster tube apparatus, or a vibratory fluidized bed apparatus.
- Examples of such conventional or commercially available coating processing apparatus or systems include those as available from O'Hara Coating Systems, Inc., Toronto, Canada, Coating Machinery Systems, Inc., Des Moines, Iowa, Driam (Driamat drum coater), Spartansburg, South Carolina, DTG (Belt Coater), England, Dumoulin (IDA system drum coater), France, Carle and Montanari (BE 100 vertical pan), Italy, Huttlin, France, Manesty Drum Coaters, England, Pellegrini, Italy, Steinberg Drum Coater (belt coaters), Germany or described in
U.S. Patent No. 4,168,674 ,U.S. Patent No. 5,495,418 ,U.S. Patent No. 5,010,838 ,U.S. Patent No. 4,554,887 ,U.S. Patent No. 4,430,003 andU.S. Patent No. 4,245,580 , which may optionally contain the components described inU.S. Patent No. 4,478,171 ,U.S. Patent No. 4,334,493 ,U.S. Patent No. 4,799,449 ,U.S. Patent No. 4,725,446 andU.S. Patent No. 4,639,383 . - These coating apparatus contain conventional coating vessels for containing the mass of centers/coated centers during coating processing, e.g., during the application of the coating solution and drying. For example, rotatable drum apparatus contain a conventional drum (which is also called a pan), such as a tulip pan, a solid wall pan, or a perforated-wall pan for containing the centers during the coating operation. The temperature and/or moisture sensors may be mounted inside the drum such that the sensor(s) is positioned over the centers during the coating operation. Optionally, the sensor(s) may be mounted on the coating solution dispenser (e.g., on a spray arm), out of the way of the dispensing path of the coating solution. Rotatable drum apparatus also contain a mechanism for rotating the drum to tumble (intermix) the centers during the coating operation. Any conventional or commercially available rotating mechanism may be used to rotate the drum, examples of which include belt-driven or gear driven motors. In a fluidized bed coating apparatus, the centers are contained in a vessel having a perforated bottom wall. Intermixing is most commonly accomplished by passing a strong current of drying gas through the perforated wall such that the velocity of the drying gas is sufficient to suspend or fluidize the centers. Intermixing may also be accomplished by vibrating the vessel. In this apparatus, the temperature and/or moisture sensors may be similarly mounted inside the apparatus such that the sensor(s) is positioned over the centers during the coating operation. Optionally, the sensor(s) may be mounted on the coating solution dispenser, out of the way of the dispensing path of the coating solution. Any conventional or commercially available mechanisms suitable for use with fluidized bed apparatus may be used, examples of which include belt-driven or gear driven motors for vibrating the vessel and a fan (for creating sufficient air turbulence for suspending/intermixing the centers in the vessel). In a Wurster tube coating apparatus, the centers are contained within a vertical tube assembly that comprises a center tube enclosed within an exterior tube. The centers are intermixed using a very strong current of drying gas directed through the bottom of the tube, whereby the centers/coated centers are propelled through the center vertical tube in the strong current of drying gas (air). After reaching the top of the center tube, the centers fall through the exterior tube to the base of the tubes, and are again propelled up through the center tube in a current of air, thereby creating a circular flow of coated masses through the tubes. In this apparatus, the temperature and/or moisture sensors may be mounted over the top of the center vertical tube, such that the sensor(s) is positioned over the centers as they pass out of the tube. Any conventional or commercially available mechanisms suitable for use with such an apparatus may be used, examples of which include a fan (for creating sufficient air turbulence for suspending and propelling the centers through the tube).
- The coating solution dispenser is used for dispensing or applying the coating solution onto the mass of centers. Examples of such dispensers include "spraying arms", such as internal spraying arms and external spraying arms, which may contain one or more nozzles for dispensing the coating solution, or a ladle. The coating solution is applied through such dispensers using compressed air and/or a pump, such as a positive displacement pump, a metering pump, a centrifugal pump, a peristaltic pump, and the like to propel the coating solution through the dispenser. The gas inlet port is mounted on the coating vessel to direct the drying gas into or through the vessel and the gas outlet port is mounted on the vessel to allow the drying gas to exit or exhaust from the vessel. Examples of such gas inlet and outlet ports are air ducts and insertion tubes. One or more fans or blowers may be used to power the current of the drying gas through the coating vessel and through the drying gas (air) handling system (through the collector(s), dryer and heater), as needed. Any suitable conventional fan or blower may be used.
- Advantageously, in the method of this invention, when using a rotatable drum or any other coating vessel that does not require a current of drying gas to intermix the centers, the drying gas may be used at reduced flow rates. As described above, the drying gas used herein may be adjusted to temperatures well above the melting point or degradation point of the centers to be coated and still maintain the surface temperature of the centers at a predetermined temperature or within a predetermined temperature range that is below the melting point or degradation point of the centers. The present method, apparatus and system enables the operator to balance/manipulate the temperature of the drying gas and the flow rate of the drying gas to maintain a predetermined temperature on the surface of the coated centers. For example, the temperature of the drying gas may be adjusted to maintain the temperature of the surface of the coated centers at a predetermined temperature wherein the drying gas flow rate remains constant. Optionally, both the temperature and the flow rate of the drying gas may be adjusted to maintain the temperature of the surface of the coated centers at a predetermined temperature.
- As described herein the temperature sensor in this invention is used to measure the temperature of the surface of the coated centers of the mass. The moisture sensor is used to measure the moisture content of the surface of the coated center of the mass. Advantageously, the temperature and moisture sensors used in this invention are non-contact sensors. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that any non-contact temperature and moisture sensor will be suitable for use in the method and apparatus of this invention. Preferably, such non-contact sensors are infra-red sensors and near infra-red sensors. Because the sensors are not in contact with the rotating mass of coated centers, damage to the sensors caused by repeated collisions with the coated centers is essentially eliminated. Moreover, damage to the coated centers by repeated collisions with the sensor(s) do not occur. Most preferably, the moisture sensor used herein is a near infra-red moisture sensor and the temperature sensor is an infra-red temperature sensor. Examples of such moisture sensors are available form Sensor Controls, Inc., Milpites, California. Example of such temperature sensors are available from Raytek, Corp., Santa Cruz, California and Watlow, St. Louis, Missouri.
- The drying gas used in this invention may be dried using any conventional de-humidifying processing apparatus. Manufacturers of such de-humidifying /drying apparatus include Kathabar Inc. (manufacturer of apparatus suitable for use with lithium chloride solution desiccants), New Brunswick, New Jersey, Carrier Corp. (manufacturer of air conditioning apparatus to de-humidify air by cooling), Syracuse, New York, Cargocaire Engineering Corp. (manufacturer of apparatus suitable for use with solid desiccants), Amesbury, Massachusetts. Conventionally, the drying gas used in coating processing has a dew point of about 5°C. The drying gas used in the method of this invention may be advantageously much drier. Preferably, the moisture content of the drying gas used in the method of this invention may be maintained to have a dew point of about 0°C (3.7 g water/kg dry air) to about -15°C (1.0g water/kg dry air). Accordingly, the method and apparatus of this invention may preferably employ a desiccant for drying the drying gas. Examples of desiccants useful in this invention include, but are not limited to a solid desiccant or a lithium chloride solution, wherein the lithium chloride solution is used as a desiccant. As indicated above, such solid and solution desiccants, and the methods and apparatus suitable for use with such desiccants, are known and are commercially available. The drying gas may be dried by passing the gas through an apparatus containing a solid desiccant, such as silica. Alternatively, the gas may be dried by passing the gas through a lithium chloride solution spray which contains about 30-45 wt. % lithium chloride. The drying process may be conducted using a lithium chloride solution maintained at any suitable temperature for a selected lithium chloride concentration, as is known in the art (e.g., an aqueous 30 wt. % LiCl solution may be used at temperature of from about -17°C to about 103°C, whereas an aqueous 45 wt. % LiCl may be used at temperature of from about 18°C to about 104°C). Preferably, drying of the gas is conducted using a lithium chloride solution maintained at a temperature of about 5 °C to about 50°C.
- In this invention, the temperature of the drying gas is adjusted to a temperature suitable for maintaining the surface of the coated centers in the mass at a predetermined temperature or within a predetermined temperature range. The drying gas may be heated or cooled, as required, to provide a drying gas having a temperature suitable for maintaining the surface of the coated centers in the mass at a predetermined temperature or within a predetermined temperature range. The heating element used for adjusting (increasing) the temperature of the drying gas must be responsive to changes in the surface temperature of the coated centers in the mass, as measured by the temperature sensor. The increased rate of drying provided by the method of this invention may result in relatively rapid changes in the surface temperature of the coated centers of the mass. Accordingly, the heating element used in the apparatus, system and method of this intention must be capable of responding to such changes by heating (heating to a higher temperature) or cooling (heating to a lower temperature or not heating) the drying gas with comparable speed. Any conventional heating element that can rapidly change the amount of heat applied to a gas source may be used. Examples of such heating element include electrical heating elements, low mass steam injection heaters, direct fire gas heaters, and the like. Preferably, the heating element is an electrical heating element. Optionally, the temperature of the drying gas may be adjusted (reduced) by introducing a current of cool air into the current of drying gas.
- Conventional coating apparatus systems are designed to pass the current of drying gas through the coating vessel only once or to re-cycle the drying gas through the coating vessel. In the re-cycling systems, the drying gas is in a loop where it is repeatedly subjected to drying, heating, and passage through the coating vessel. Additional filters, collectors, or scrubbers may be placed in the loop to remove any materials in the gas that may be carried by the drying gas exhausted from of the coating vessel during drying step or that may be introduced into the drying gas during the drying or heating operations. Often, the drying gas exhausted from the coating vessel contains fine particulates of the coating solution ingredient(s). These fine particulates may be explosive or combustible and need to be removed from the drying gas stream, especially prior to heating. For example, drying gas that has passed through a coating vessel wherein a sugar solution was sprayed onto a mass of centers may contain very fine sugar particulates which may be removed by passing the gas through a particle filter or dust collector. The process of drying the gas may also introduce fine materials into the dried gas. For example, gas that is dried using the lithium chloride solution is preferably passed through another collector, specifically, a mist-elimination apparatus, prior to heating, to remove any fine mist droplets that may be present in the dried gas. Alternatively, gas that is dried using a solid desiccant may be passed through another dust collector to remove any particulates of the solid that may be present in the dried gas. Typically, commercially available lithium chloride solution drying apparatus contain such mist-elimination apparatus as part of the drying apparatus. It is considered to be within the skill of one in the art to incorporate as many filters, collectors or scrubbers in the drying gas flow system of the coating apparatus system of this invention to purify the gas at a selected stage of the flow system to provide a gas of suitable quality.
- The coating apparatus system of this invention contains a computerized control unit that monitors the temperature and moisture content of the surface of the centers in the coating vessel and links the output thereof to the operation of other components of the system. Any and all operational variables (e.g., activation of the coating solution dispenser, the amount of coating solution to be dispensed into the coating vessel as well as the type of coating solution to be dispensed into the coating vessel (more than one coating solution may be used to prepare a finished coated product)) may be controlled by a computerized control unit in a conventional manner. In the present invention, the computerized control unit preferably controls at least the temperature to which the drying gas is adjusted ( heated/cooled), the dispensing of the coating solution onto the mass of centers in the coating vessel, the flow of the drying gas through the coating vessel, and monitors the temperature and moisture content of the surface of the centers in the coating vessel. Advantageously, the computerized control unit controls the drying process by linking an increase or decrease in the surface temperature of the coated centers to a decrease or an increase in the temperature of the drying gas adjusted (heated or cooled). As described above, the drying gas used in this invention may be substantially higher than the melting point or degradation temperature of the centers, particularly when large amounts of water are being evaporated (e.g., when the adiabatic cooling effect is most significant). However, as drying progresses, the adiabatic cooling effect diminishes and the surface temperature of the coated centers exposed to the current of hot drying gas can begin to increase. The temperature of the drying gas must then be adjusted to prevent the temperature of the surface of the coated centers from rising above the predetermined temperature or predetermined temperature range. The computerized control in this.invention provides for frequent monitoring of the surface temperature (frequent monitoring of the temperature sensor output) and correlation of that output with adjustment of the temperature of the drying gas. When the surface temperature of the coated centers begins to rise above the predetermined temperature or approaches the upper limit of the predetermined temperature range, the temperature of the drying gas is adjusted (by heating to a lower temperature or by introducing cool air into the current of drying gas) to reduce the surface temperature to the predetermined temperature or to within the predetermined temperature range.
- The computerized control unit also controls the coating solution dispensing process and the termination of the coating process by linking the output of the moisture sensor (the moisture content of the surface of the coated centers) optionally to the dispensing of the coating solution onto the mass of centers in the coating vessel and/or to the flow of the drying gas through the coating vessel. When the moisture content of the surface of the coated centers reaches a predetermined dryness between 0% and 30% water, by weight, the drying cycle is determined to have reached completion. At that time the mass of coated centers may be sprayed with an additional amount of coating solution to start another drying cycle. Accordingly, the control unit may activate a pump to disperse an amount of coating solution through the coating solution dispenser onto the coated mass of centers. Optionally, the control unit may also shut off the drying gas fan or blower or re-route the drying gas to bypass the coating vessel when the coated centers have reached a predetermined dryness (surface moisture content), when dispensing the coating solution or when distributing the coating solution to coat the centers. It is considered to be within the skill of one in the art to utilize conventional internal control loop programs (PID, neural networks, look-up tables, etc.) to provide such computerized control over the coating method of this invention. Because this coating method, apparatus and system utilizes sensors that are not conventionally used, the computer programming controls of conventional or commercially available coating apparatus systems need to be re-programed to provide for monitoring of the temperature and moisture sensors rather than the air temperature sensors that are monitored in conventional coating operations. It is considered to within the skill of one in the art to re-program such coating operation controls to monitor the output of different sensors and to link the output of such sensors to other operations in the coating system, e.g., the drying gas heater, fan/blower or spray pump.
- One or more polishing or finishing coatings may be applied to the coated centers produced by the method described herein. These finishing/polishing coatings may include colored coatings, enteric coatings, finishing glazes, wax coatings and the like. Enteric coatings (finishing coatings that are resistant to digestion in the stomach) may be desirable for use in the preparation of coated tablets containing pharmaceutical compounds or compositions. Any conventional finishing/polishing coating may be used to provide a finished coated product having the desired appearance, shelf-stability or physiological stability. For example, coating solutions containing polishing gums (e.g., gum arabic, dextrin and the like), paste waxes (e.g., carnuba wax, beeswax, zein and the like), shellac (e.g. food grade shellac), powder waxes, corn syrup, dextrose polymers, butter, celluloses (ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose phthalate, cellulose acetate phthalate, polyvinylacetate phthalate, acrylate polymers and the like) may be used to prepare the finished coated centers having the desired characteristics. Typically, such finishing/polishing coatings are composed of only 1 to 5 layers of coating materials. These coatings may advantageously be applied using the method of this invention described hereinabove wherein a polishing or finishing coating solution is applied to the coated centers and the finished coated product is produced by drying the finish-coated, coated centers according to the method described hereinabove until the surface moisture of the finished coated centers of the mass is about 0% to about 30% water, by weight.
- As described above, the method of this invention is especially useful for coating of thermally sensitive centers that are composed of a center having a low melting point or that degrades or is adversely affected by mildly elevated temperatures. Accordingly, one embodiment of this invention relates to an improved method for producing a shell coating on a mass of thermally sensitive centers comprising dispensing a coating solution onto the mass of centers and drying the coated centers with a current of drying gas; the improvement comprising measuring the temperature of the surface of the coated centers of the mass and drying the coated centers by adjusting the temperature of the drying gas in response to the temperature measurement of the surface of the coated centers to maintain the temperature of the surface of the coated centers at a temperature that is less than the melting point or degradation temperature of the thermally sensitive center. Another embodiment of this invention relates to an improved method for producing a shell coating on a mass of thermally sensitive centers comprising dispensing a coating solution onto the mass of centers and drying the coated centers with a current of drying gas; the improvement comprising measuring the moisture content of the surface of the coated centers of the mass and drying the coated centers until the moisture content of the surface of the coated centers is about 0% to about 30% water, by weight. In preferred embodiments of this invention, the thermally sensitive centers comprise chocolate, chocolate-containing compositions, cocoa-containing compositions and nut-flavored or nut-containing compositions.
- In another embodiment, of this invention relates to the method for producing confectioneries comprising a candy shell coating or, optionally, a colored candy shell coating. Any food grade pigment may be incorporated into the coating solution and used in the method of this invention. In a preferred embodiment, this invention relates to a method for producing a candy shell coating on a mass of chocolate, chocolate-containing or peanut butter-containing centers.
- This method further comprises measuring the moisture content of the surface of the coated centers of the mass using a moisture sensor and drying the coated centers until the surface moisture of the coated centers is 0% to 30% water, by weight.
- The coating vessel used in the method for producing a shell coating on a mass of chocolate, chocolate-containing or peanut butter-containing centers is preferably a rotatable drum coating apparatus, a fluidized bed apparatus or a vibrated bed apparatus. More preferably, the coating vessel is a rotatable drum apparatus and the mass of centers is intermixed (tumbled) by rotating the drum. In the method of this invention, the rate of air flow (current of drying gas) through the drum may be significantly reduced, as compared to flow rates conventionally used with rotatable drum apparatus. For example, in this invention, flow rates of 51 m3/min (1,800 ft3/min) to 113 m3/min (4,000 ft3/min) may be used for coating a mass of centers weighing 2,500 kilograms (kg). Preferably, the drying gas is air, the air flow rate is 71 m3/min (2,500 ft3/min) to 99m3/min (3,500 ft3/min) for drying a mass of centers weighing about 2,500 kg and the air may be adjusted to temperatures between 20°C to 60°C. The temperature of the surface of the coated chocolate and peanut butter centers is maintained in the range of 20°C to 26°C, more preferably, the surface temperature is in the range of 21°C to 25 °C and most preferably, the surface temperature is 22°C to 24°C. For example, the temperature of the air may be about 50 °C for about 1 minute after the sugar syrup is sprayed onto the centers and the temperature of the air is about 26 ° C when the moisture content of the coated centers is 0% to 30% water, by weight.
- One or more polishing or finishing coatings may be applied to the sugar-coated chocolate, chocolate-containing or peanut butter-containing products, which may or may not be colored. Unlike sugar coatings, which may be composed of many separate sugar layers, such polishing or finishing coatings are composed of only 1 to 5 layers. Confectioneries typically contain polishing or finishing coatings that contain a polishing gum, an edible wax, or butter. These additional coatings may be applied to the sugar-coated chocolate, sugar-coated chocolate-containing or sugar-coated peanut butter-containing centers, produced as described above, by the method as defined in claim 5.
- While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments and specific examples, those skilled in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (11)
- A method of producing a shell coating on a mass of thermally sensitive centers, comprising the steps of:(a) placing the mass of thermally sensitive centers in a coating vessel (203);(b) intermixing the mass of thermally sensitive centers;(c) dispensing a coating solution onto the mass of thermally sensitive centers;(d) directly measuring the temperature of the surface of the coated thermally sensitive centers of the mass using a temperature sensor (207) while drying the coated thermally sensitive centers;(e) drying the coated thermally sensitive centers by passing a current of drying gas through the coating vessel (203), and adjusting the temperature of the drying gas in response to the temperature measurement of step (d) to maintain the temperature of the surface of the coated thermally sensitive centers at a predetermined temperature, whereby:the thermally sensitive centers have melting points less than 50°C;said predetermined temperature is below the melting point of the centers;said method further comprises directly measuring the moisture content of the surface of the coated thermally sensitive centers of the mass during said drying step using a moisture sensor, and said drying is continued until said moisture content is 0% to 30% water, by weight; andsaid method further comprises repeating steps (c) through (e) a predetermined number of times to produce a finished product.
- The method according to claim 1, wherein said drying is continued until the surface moisture of the coated thermally sensitive centers is 0% to 10% water, by weight.
- The method according to any preceding claim, wherein thermally sensitive centers comprise chocolate, a chocolate-containing composition, a cocoa-containing composition, a nut-flavored composition or a nut-containing composition.
- The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the drying gas has a moisture content maintained to have a dew point of 0°C to -15°C.
- The method according to claim 1 for producing a candy shell coating, wherein(i) the mass of thermally sensitive centers is a mass of chocolate, chocolate-containing or peanut butter-containing thermally sensitive centers;(ii) the coating solution is a sugar syrup or a colored sugar syrup and is dispensed by spraying; and(iii) the predetermined temperature is 20°C to 26°C, and said steps (c) through (e) are repeated from 1 to 50 times to produce a sugar-coated product.
- An improved coating apparatus for coating a mass of thermally sensitive centers in a method according to any of claims 1 to 5, comprising a coating vessel (203,104), a coating solution dispenser (100), a gas inlet port (202) and a gas outlet port (201); wherein each thermally sensitive center has a surface, a surface temperature, and a surface moisture content, the improved apparatus comprising:a temperature sensor (207,101) configured to make a direct measurement of the temperature of the surface of the coated thermally sensitive centers of the mass;a moisture sensor (208,102) configured to make a direct measurement of the moisture content of the surface of the coated thermally sensitive centers of the mass; anda computerized control unit (209) that provides for frequent monitoring of the surface temperature sensor output and correlation of that output with adjustment of a temperature of a drying gas introduced into the coating vessel through the gas inlet port (202) to maintain the temperature of the surface of the coated thermally sensitive center at a predetermined temperature, wherein the control unit (209) is programmed to carry out a method according to any of claims 1 to 5.
- The coating apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a drying gas fan (204), a gas drying element (206), and a gas heating element (205).
- The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the gas drying element (206) comprises a desiccant.
- The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the desiccant is a lithium chloride solution or a solid desiccant.
- The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the moisture sensor (208,102) is a near infrared moisture sensor.
- The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the temperature sensor (207, 101) is an infrared temperature sensor.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US531718 | 2000-03-21 | ||
US09/531,718 US6638550B2 (en) | 2000-03-21 | 2000-03-21 | Method for coating solid confectionery centers |
PCT/US2001/007793 WO2001070195A2 (en) | 2000-03-21 | 2001-03-12 | A method and apparatus for coating centers |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1265493A2 EP1265493A2 (en) | 2002-12-18 |
EP1265493B1 true EP1265493B1 (en) | 2007-07-04 |
Family
ID=24118758
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP01920300A Expired - Lifetime EP1265493B1 (en) | 2000-03-21 | 2001-03-12 | A method and apparatus for coating centers |
Country Status (10)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US6638550B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1265493B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP5008241B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN1230087C (en) |
AT (1) | ATE366051T1 (en) |
AU (2) | AU4737101A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2404036C (en) |
DE (1) | DE60129213T2 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2288506T3 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2001070195A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (21)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20020182291A1 (en) * | 2001-04-20 | 2002-12-05 | Renini Lis K. | Sweet microwave popcorn product and method for production thereof |
US7867537B2 (en) * | 2002-10-04 | 2011-01-11 | Kraft Foods Global Brands Llc | Production of snacks having an expanded, crispy, chip-like textured coating |
US7771182B2 (en) * | 2005-11-04 | 2010-08-10 | Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company | Apparatus for producing center-filled confectionery |
DE102005061787A1 (en) * | 2005-12-23 | 2007-06-28 | Fette Gmbh | Device for generating a negative pressure in the sealed space of a tablet press and / or an insulator |
US20080026131A1 (en) * | 2006-07-28 | 2008-01-31 | The Hershey Company | Process for preparing a sugar coating on an irregular shaped confection |
WO2008021526A2 (en) * | 2006-08-18 | 2008-02-21 | Conagra Foods, Inc. | Product and method for providing texture, aroma, and flavor to microwave popcorn |
US8815326B2 (en) * | 2007-07-27 | 2014-08-26 | Glaxosmithkline Llc | Temperature telemetry in processing of material |
US8323711B2 (en) * | 2007-10-09 | 2012-12-04 | Mars, Incorporated | Spiral gas-solids contact apparatus and method |
ES2375021T3 (en) * | 2008-06-10 | 2012-02-24 | Glatt Maschinen- Und Apparatebau Ag | DRUM COVERING DEVICE, EQUIPPED WITH NIR MEASUREMENT DEVICE. |
US20110256305A1 (en) * | 2008-12-23 | 2011-10-20 | Harmonium International Inc. | Turbine Coating Apparatus And Spray Gun Assembly Therefor |
IT1399018B1 (en) * | 2009-05-14 | 2013-04-05 | G S G Srl | CYLINDRICAL BATHTUB FOR THE THERMAL TREATMENT OF A FOOD MIXTURE IN GENERAL AND A MACHINE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF FOOD BLENDS PROVIDED WITH THIS CYLINDRICAL TANK |
EP2272377B1 (en) * | 2009-07-09 | 2012-09-05 | Kraft Foods R & D, Inc. | Process for producing a confectionery product |
JP5813310B2 (en) * | 2009-12-03 | 2015-11-17 | 株式会社パウレック | Coating equipment |
US9604227B2 (en) * | 2013-06-21 | 2017-03-28 | St. Martin Investments, Inc. | System and method for processing and treating an agricultural byproduct |
EP3653060B1 (en) | 2015-01-16 | 2024-05-01 | Cocoterra Company | Chocolate processing system and method |
USD767244S1 (en) | 2015-09-03 | 2016-09-27 | The J.M. Smucker Company | Coated food product |
USD767241S1 (en) | 2015-09-03 | 2016-09-27 | The J.M. Smucker Company | Coated food product |
USD767242S1 (en) | 2015-09-03 | 2016-09-27 | The J.M Smucker Company | Coated food product |
USD767243S1 (en) | 2015-09-03 | 2016-09-27 | The J.M. Smucker Company | Coated food product |
FR3067567B1 (en) * | 2017-06-19 | 2019-07-05 | Roquette Freres | NEW DRAGEIFICATION PROCESS AND DRAGED SOLID FORMS HAVING IRREGULAR SHAPES |
US11470853B2 (en) | 2019-03-15 | 2022-10-18 | CocoTerra Company | Interface and application for designing a chocolate-making experience |
Family Cites Families (54)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3557718A (en) | 1968-05-17 | 1971-01-26 | Gen Mills Inc | Process for coating cereal with candy floss |
CH501408A (en) | 1969-01-06 | 1971-01-15 | Hoffmann La Roche | Device for making dragées |
DE2315882C3 (en) | 1973-03-30 | 1975-10-23 | Glatt, Werner, 7859 Haltingen | Drying device for a coating drum |
US3991225A (en) | 1974-02-01 | 1976-11-09 | Tennessee Valley Authority | Method for applying coatings to solid particles |
GB1466286A (en) | 1974-07-16 | 1977-03-02 | Evans Medical Ltd | Coating of tablets |
US4127395A (en) | 1976-10-18 | 1978-11-28 | Pall Corporation | Adsorbent fractionator with fail-safe automatic cycle control and process |
JPS54109089A (en) | 1978-02-14 | 1979-08-27 | Kobe Steel Ltd | Dehumidifying material |
JPS5544380A (en) | 1978-09-26 | 1980-03-28 | Okawara Mfg Co Ltd | Drafty rotary drum type coater |
US4230615A (en) | 1978-11-21 | 1980-10-28 | Carlew Chemicals Limited | Process for controlled mixing in a high intensity mixer |
JPS56109668A (en) | 1980-02-06 | 1981-08-31 | Okawara Mfg | Rotaty drum type tablet coating device |
US4430003A (en) | 1980-11-18 | 1984-02-07 | Hawker Siddeley Canada, Inc. | Apparatus for spraying liquids such as resins and waxes on surfaces of particles |
GB2089700A (en) | 1980-12-12 | 1982-06-30 | Fischer Ag Georg | Apparatus for the processing of granular material |
AT391103B (en) | 1981-11-20 | 1990-08-27 | Walter Dr Kallinger | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL IN THE PRODUCTION OF BUILDING MATERIAL MIXTURES |
US4559235A (en) * | 1982-05-20 | 1985-12-17 | Miller Dehydrator International, Inc. | Low temperature dehydrated alfalfa product and method and apparatus for processing same |
DE3236192A1 (en) | 1982-09-30 | 1984-04-05 | Dr. Karl Thomae Gmbh, 7950 Biberach | CONTROLLED AND REGULATED PROCEDURE FOR FULLY AUTOMATIC, CONTINUOUS DRAGING |
EP0132480B1 (en) | 1983-07-29 | 1988-01-27 | Boiron | Device for the production of sugar products or the like in loose bulk, for instance for homeopathic pharmacy, and products so obtained |
US4478171A (en) | 1983-09-02 | 1984-10-23 | Olin Corporation | Variably displaceable spray nozzles |
US4639383A (en) | 1983-09-20 | 1987-01-27 | Thomas Engineering, Inc. | Method and apparatus for coating particulate granules |
JPS60133838A (en) | 1983-12-21 | 1985-07-17 | Takeda Chem Ind Ltd | Pan coater |
US4554887A (en) | 1984-05-22 | 1985-11-26 | Vector Corporation | Apparatus for coating tablets with computer control |
JPS61128999A (en) | 1984-11-28 | 1986-06-17 | 松下電器産業株式会社 | Dryer |
GB8431167D0 (en) | 1984-12-11 | 1985-01-23 | Manesty Machines | Table coating apparatus |
DE3519052A1 (en) | 1985-05-28 | 1986-01-23 | VEB Forschung und Rationalisierung,Betrieb des VEB Kombinat Süßwaren, DDR 7026 Leipzig | Apparatus for continuous coating |
US5010838A (en) | 1985-07-10 | 1991-04-30 | Nabisco Brands, Inc. | Apparatus for continuous pan coating |
JPS6227070A (en) | 1985-07-27 | 1987-02-05 | Yoshida Kogyo Kk <Ykk> | Barrel-type coating device |
JPS63196251A (en) * | 1987-02-09 | 1988-08-15 | Aiba:Kk | Thawing, heating and cooking for frozen food and device therefor |
US4823008A (en) | 1987-11-05 | 1989-04-18 | Process Automation Business, Inc. | Apparatus and methods employing infrared absorption means to measure the moisture content of heavy grades of paper |
DE68903452T2 (en) * | 1988-08-22 | 1993-04-22 | Freunt Ind Co Ltd | DEVICE FOR GRANULATING AND COATING. |
JP2935501B2 (en) * | 1989-02-06 | 1999-08-16 | フロイント産業株式会社 | Granulation coating method and apparatus |
DK167135B1 (en) | 1989-12-21 | 1993-09-06 | Dtf Holding As | PROCEDURE FOR APPLYING A HARD COATING ON CORE OF EDIBLE OR CHEFABLE MATERIAL AND COATED MATERIAL OBTAINED BY THE PROCEDURE |
US5100683A (en) | 1991-02-21 | 1992-03-31 | Wenger Manufacturing | Method and apparatus for combined product coating and drying |
US5218898A (en) | 1991-11-04 | 1993-06-15 | D C Norris & Company (Engineering) Limited | Food processing plant |
DE4138997A1 (en) | 1991-11-27 | 1993-06-03 | Lorenz B Dipl Ing Bohle | DEVICE FOR DRAGING PIECE PRODUCTS, IN PARTICULAR PILLS AND TABLETS |
JPH05252871A (en) * | 1992-03-11 | 1993-10-05 | Kanebo Ltd | Sugar coated material having sugar coating layer exhibiting soft mouth feeling |
FR2705207B1 (en) | 1993-05-17 | 1995-07-28 | Roquette Freres | Hard coating process without sugar and products thus obtained. |
US5495418A (en) | 1993-06-18 | 1996-02-27 | Latini Machine Company | Automatic panning system |
JPH07107925A (en) * | 1993-10-12 | 1995-04-25 | Tatsumi Food Mach:Kk | Method of heating and boiling food and system therefor |
JPH07155111A (en) | 1993-12-08 | 1995-06-20 | Freunt Ind Co Ltd | Method and device for coating sugar |
IT233918Y1 (en) | 1994-01-25 | 2000-02-16 | C S S R L Coating System | DRYING DEVICE FOR CONFETTING MACHINES |
JPH07232049A (en) | 1994-02-25 | 1995-09-05 | Freunt Ind Co Ltd | Apparatus for centrifugally tumbling granulation-coating, method for centrifugally tumbling granulation-coating of powder-granules, and methods for granulating and coating powder-granules using said method |
JP3349580B2 (en) | 1994-03-03 | 2002-11-25 | フロイント産業株式会社 | Bread coating equipment |
JPH07328408A (en) * | 1994-06-10 | 1995-12-19 | Freunt Ind Co Ltd | Pan coating device |
US5453383A (en) | 1994-06-14 | 1995-09-26 | General Mills, Inc. | Method of applying sugar coating by using steam assisted discharge nozzle |
JPH08117546A (en) | 1994-10-26 | 1996-05-14 | Daikin Ind Ltd | Dehumidifier |
DE4441350C1 (en) * | 1994-11-21 | 1996-06-13 | Bohle L B Pharmatech Gmbh | Infrared spectroscopic measuring system for moisture content of materials in mixer and dryer plant |
FR2740300B1 (en) | 1995-10-30 | 1998-01-02 | Roquette Freres | SUGAR-FREE COATING OBTAINED BY HARD DRAGEIFICATION AND PROCESS FOR OBTAINING SAME |
EP0774264A1 (en) | 1995-11-20 | 1997-05-21 | Espo, Ltd. | Air purifying agent and air purifying method |
US5571647A (en) * | 1996-01-11 | 1996-11-05 | Xerox Corporation | Electrophotographic imaging member with improved charge generation layer |
DE69712654T2 (en) * | 1996-02-22 | 2002-09-05 | Seiko Epson Corp | Ink jet recording head, ink jet recording apparatus provided therewith and manufacturing method of an ink jet recording head |
GB9612821D0 (en) | 1996-06-19 | 1996-08-21 | Cerestar Holding Bv | Sugarfree hard coatings and a method for obtaining them |
US5716652A (en) | 1996-10-02 | 1998-02-10 | Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company | Coated chewing gum products and methods of manufacturing same |
DE19724641C2 (en) | 1997-05-06 | 2001-05-17 | Hosokawa Kreuter Gmbh | Device for coating foodstuffs such as confectionery, baked goods and the like with flowable coating compositions, such as chocolate and other glazes |
GB9722986D0 (en) | 1997-10-30 | 1998-01-07 | Boc Group Plc | Tumble coating |
US5939119A (en) | 1998-06-25 | 1999-08-17 | Nestec S.A. | Coating for nuts |
-
2000
- 2000-03-21 US US09/531,718 patent/US6638550B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2001
- 2001-03-12 CN CNB018088295A patent/CN1230087C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-03-12 DE DE60129213T patent/DE60129213T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-03-12 JP JP2001568393A patent/JP5008241B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-03-12 EP EP01920300A patent/EP1265493B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-03-12 AU AU4737101A patent/AU4737101A/en active Pending
- 2001-03-12 AU AU2001247371A patent/AU2001247371B2/en not_active Expired
- 2001-03-12 AT AT01920300T patent/ATE366051T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2001-03-12 CA CA002404036A patent/CA2404036C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-03-12 WO PCT/US2001/007793 patent/WO2001070195A2/en active IP Right Grant
- 2001-03-12 ES ES01920300T patent/ES2288506T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2003
- 2003-09-10 US US10/658,296 patent/US7320808B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
None * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE60129213T2 (en) | 2008-03-13 |
JP5008241B2 (en) | 2012-08-22 |
CA2404036A1 (en) | 2001-09-27 |
AU2001247371B2 (en) | 2005-05-05 |
DE60129213D1 (en) | 2007-08-16 |
WO2001070195A3 (en) | 2002-03-21 |
US20040109936A1 (en) | 2004-06-10 |
US6638550B2 (en) | 2003-10-28 |
ATE366051T1 (en) | 2007-07-15 |
ES2288506T3 (en) | 2008-01-16 |
JP2003527129A (en) | 2003-09-16 |
US20020061349A1 (en) | 2002-05-23 |
CN1230087C (en) | 2005-12-07 |
EP1265493A2 (en) | 2002-12-18 |
US7320808B2 (en) | 2008-01-22 |
AU4737101A (en) | 2001-10-03 |
CN1427674A (en) | 2003-07-02 |
WO2001070195A2 (en) | 2001-09-27 |
CA2404036C (en) | 2009-11-24 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP1265493B1 (en) | A method and apparatus for coating centers | |
AU2001247371A1 (en) | A method and apparatus for coating centers | |
AU2005322585B2 (en) | Methods for manufacturing coated confectionary products | |
RU2474127C2 (en) | Method and spiral device for gas contact with solid substance | |
Dewettinck et al. | Fluidized bed coating in food technology | |
US5495418A (en) | Automatic panning system | |
MXPA06009905A (en) | Process for preparing a sugar coating on an irregular shaped confection. | |
US6364948B1 (en) | Coating and drying apparatus | |
Chambliss | Conventional and specialized coating pans | |
MXPA04005358A (en) | Method for high speed coating of confectionery cores. | |
US3381659A (en) | Dragee preparation and apparatus therefor | |
JP4037974B2 (en) | Coating apparatus and coating method | |
Reddy et al. | Tablet coating industry point view-a comprehensive review | |
CA2466589C (en) | Coating and drying apparatus | |
Hartel et al. | Sugar and Sugar-Free Panned Confections | |
JPH07116227A (en) | Method and device for sugar-coating | |
JP2000185246A (en) | Spray gun having temperature retaining function and coating device using the same | |
GB2415356A (en) | Coating process | |
Anusha et al. | International Journal of Modern Pharmaceutical Research |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20021003 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A2 Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Free format text: AL PAYMENT 20021003;LT PAYMENT 20021003;LV PAYMENT 20021003;MK PAYMENT 20021003;RO PAYMENT 20021003;SI PAYMENT 20021003 |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20041116 |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: AL LT LV MK RO SI |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 60129213 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 20070816 Kind code of ref document: P |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: NV Representative=s name: PATENTANWAELTE SCHAAD, BALASS, MENZL & PARTNER AG |
|
ET | Fr: translation filed | ||
LTIE | Lt: invalidation of european patent or patent extension |
Effective date: 20070704 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: ES Ref legal event code: FG2A Ref document number: 2288506 Country of ref document: ES Kind code of ref document: T3 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: PT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20071204 Ref country code: FI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20070704 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: AT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20070704 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20070704 Ref country code: GR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20071005 |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LU Payment date: 20080313 Year of fee payment: 8 Ref country code: MC Payment date: 20080228 Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20080407 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20071004 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CY Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20070704 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MC Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20090331 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: TR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20070704 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20090312 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 16 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 17 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 18 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20200327 Year of fee payment: 20 Ref country code: IE Payment date: 20200327 Year of fee payment: 20 Ref country code: NL Payment date: 20200326 Year of fee payment: 20 Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20200327 Year of fee payment: 20 Ref country code: IT Payment date: 20200323 Year of fee payment: 20 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: BE Payment date: 20200327 Year of fee payment: 20 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20200325 Year of fee payment: 20 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CH Payment date: 20200401 Year of fee payment: 20 Ref country code: ES Payment date: 20200401 Year of fee payment: 20 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R071 Ref document number: 60129213 Country of ref document: DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PL |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: MK Effective date: 20210311 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: PE20 Expiry date: 20210311 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: MK9A |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF EXPIRATION OF PROTECTION Effective date: 20210311 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: BE Ref legal event code: MK Effective date: 20210312 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: ES Ref legal event code: FD2A Effective date: 20210625 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF EXPIRATION OF PROTECTION Effective date: 20210312 Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF EXPIRATION OF PROTECTION Effective date: 20210313 |